About Us

We build brands through effective design, working together to unleash your confidence through image and voice. Our team at Bark works with you, from strategy through deployment, to discover solutions that distinguish your brand and deliver your message.

what we do

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You’re already doing great work. Design is the catalyst that will get you noticed. At Bark, we create your unique voice—your “bark”—to help you lead the pack. From creating your brand to print to web, we work together to make the difference.

BRAND

Brand strategy and positioning

Brand development

Leadership and team brand workshops

Campaign design

Logo / identity development

Naming

Tagline

Stationery systems

Brand audits

MESSAGE

Communication strategy

Campaign messaging and development

Mission and vision development

Message design and development

Content marketing strategy

Copywriting and editing

Social media strategy and implementation

PRINT

Annual reports

Collateral

Book design

Editorial

Packaging

Invitations

Manuals

Toolkits

More…

INTERACTIVE

Website design and development

UI / UX design

Information architecture

Content Management System (CMS) development

Mobile app design

Email campaigns

Intranet design and development

Digital presentations

Video

ETCETERA

Product design and development

Environmental signage

Custom photography

Data visualization

Information graphics

Variable data reports

Apparel

Your need here!

how we do it

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Our process begins with discovery, where we gain a clear understanding of your objectives. As we weave through our proprietary process, we continuously uncover the unexpected that leads to extraordinary results.

Our Clients

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At Bark, we believe in our clients and the limitless promise of design. We’re fortunate to work with amazing people and organizations—some of whom we’ve been working with for almost 20 years. Our clients span a wide spectrum of industries including museums, education, technology, the arts, and healthcare, to name a few. These are the clients that make coming to work fun »

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)

ACE Graphics

After School Matters

AJENDA Interactive Media

American Academy of Periodontology

American Association Pediatric Dentistry

American Dental Association

American Osteopathic Association

Association of Fundraising Professionals

Bottom Line

Build Healthy Places Network

Canadian Music Centre

Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago

ChiCrossCup

Chicago History Museum

Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Youth Centers

City of Chicago Mayor’s Office

Columbia College Chicago

Elgin Community College

The Field Museum

Forest Preserves of Cook County

Francis Parker School

Galena Area Rentals

Genesys Works

Gold Leaf Design Group

Great Life Music

Hired Pen

Hive Chicago

Illinois Cycling Association

Illinois Medical District

Infant Welfare Society of Chicago

Iron Cycles

Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation

Larry Brilliant

Latin School of Chicago

Leapfrog Online

Logan Square Neighborhood Association

Longford Construction

Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

March of Dimes

MHA Labs

NAVTEQ

Northeastern Illinois University

Nomadic Pictures

One Million Degrees

Precision Plating Company

Randall Architects

Resurrection University

Rush University Prevention Center

Science & Entrepreneurship Exchange

Site Design Group

Spinforce

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

The Gentleman Farmer

Third Coast Percussion

Tre Kronor Restaurant

University of Chicago Graham School

University of Chicago Medicine

Vidar Law Group

Wavecrest Films

Zentel Tech

“Design is everything and Bark is everything MHA Labs. Bark’s design capabilities have the single largest contributing force to the spread and scale of our skill-building innovations. Our initial tool, a simple yet perfectly designed skills keychain, has been an instrumental force in skill-building with over 50,000 youth. We consider the Bark team not only part of our company but part of our family.”

Leslie Beller, Founder & CEO at MHA Labs

Our Team

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We all have a similar mindset—do great work and have fun. We’re passionate about what we do and we bring that passion to every project we undertake to produce work we’re proud of, that delivers results, and brings clients back to us time and time again.

John Bistolfo Founder, Design Strategist

In 1997, John founded Bark based on the belief that great design can have a positive impact for companies and organizations that are making a difference in our communities—a philosophy that continues today. John’s unique ability to tell an inspiring story adds a refreshing twist to everything we do. He’s known around the office as a pun-master and his “grandpa jokes” never disappoint. Passionate about telling our clients’ stories, you’ll often hear him say, “This is a really cool project. Let’s do something awesome.”

Shaun Rowe Lead Developer

Shaun is one of Bark’s first employees. Since joining our team, he’s strengthened Bark’s vision and impacted our future by pushing us forward into new technologies and ingenious solutions for our clients. We joke that he’s read the entire internet because his knowledge of just about everything is uncanny. Shaun’s influence on our technology and his web development and programming expertise brings all of our projects to life.

Jon Skaggs Lead Designer

Jon’s creativity and insight bring life to words and pictures. With Bark since 2010, Jon’s passion to make a difference with design is present in all of his work. He’s been instrumental in developing Bark’s unique ability to deliver extraordinary and unexpected results that delight our clients and distinguish their brands. Being the tallest in the office often leads to his taller tales of foosball and Ping-Pong victories, however, his creative inspiration is second to none.

Suzanne Deveney Content Strategist

Suzanne is an accomplished writer and content strategist who brings a unique combination of creativity and business acumen to Bark. With vast experience in both the corporate and non-profit worlds, she works with our clients to make the connection between passion and results. She’s known as a “Jane of all trades” and while helping to write what’s right, she also plays a key role in brand strategy, design, and social media.

Caryn Constantinides Senior Designer

Caryn’s love of typography, combined with her creativity and design skills add a special element to every project. Her fresh perspective and enthusiasm for our clients and their work strengthens our team and is evident in her work, as well as around the office. Her insatiable appetite for design aesthetics is matched only by her zeal for the latest paper sample (and maybe wedge shoes).

Atticus and Johnny Creative Catalysts

Atticus joined Bark in 2010 and quickly excelled at his role as creative catalyst. His ever-present optimism helps to remind us that everything can be #prettymuch great. Johnny plays a key role in helping to catalyze creativity with the team. He’s a tenacious collaborator who’ll bite into #whatever we throw at him.